In short: too many people for such a narrow courceIn full: well organised nice race, my only complaint is the number of runners 500 is to many for those narrow paths especially at the beginning. Also the 360 turn seriously reduces your pb potential if seconds count, consider it more a competitve workout than a race.Date of review: December 20, 2006

In short: Enjoyable race In full: My first 10k race, and knocked 4 mins of my training PB, Great race, I liked the turning back, as it meant you got to see the elite runners going round, although it did knock your stride at the turn. Will run it next year.

1)Too busy at the start with 500 runners.2)Paths are slippery in places.3)U-turns don't help times.4)Running on paths sharing the path with runners coming the other way... had to dodge people occasionally. Maybe OK if only 250/300 in race.

Good points...

1)Well organised, with a good standard field.2)PB Potential, however there are faster courses (Trafford for one!).3)Friendly atmosphere with a good mix of elite runners and joggers.Date of review: December 18, 2006

In short: Good end to the yearIn full: Nice flat(ish) course through the park. Definate PB potential and some good encouragement along the way from spectators and marshalls. Certainly on of the most friendly races I have done this year. Date of review: December 18, 2006

In short: Great race in my home townIn full: This was a well oragnised race on a pretty fast course. The marshalls were encouraging, and the atmosphere good. The start was a bit congested and it took a while for the field to spread out. Date of review: December 18, 2006

In short: Good Race, but probably wouldn't do it again...In full: Reason being is, I don't think it's as fast as people seem to think... problems?

1). Conjection for the start.2). Paths are slippery because of time of year/leaves.3). You "turn" back on yourself twice, which loses around 10 seconds I reckon... bad idea4). Running on paths sharing the path with runners coming the other way... bit dodgy and you concentrate on that instead of running.

Positives?1). Good organisation.2). Decent support for a park race3). Nice medal4). PB Potential (but NO WHERE NEAR) say Helena Tipping5). Great atmos with the people running, friendly.

In short: Fast and virtually flat but a bit narrowIn full: Just missed a PB. Being towards the back of the pack at the start, it took me 25s to cross the start line and could only gently shuffle for the first 100m or so. Main (only) complaint is that it is far too congested at the start. Once the pack started to spread out and you could overtake, it was very fast!Thanks to all the marshalls for their encouragement. I will return next year.

In short: Fine end of year fast 10kIn full: Not as 'billiard table flat' as I'd been led to believe, just enough turns and undulations to keep it interesting, but overall you'd have to call it flat. The switchback course handled the number of runners well, overcrowding had been my biggest fear before the race, but most of the 500 runners seemed to honestly position themselves in the starting 'pens'. The long flat stretch out to the turn goes on and on and runs along the course of a dissused railway line. The turn at the end is around a conrete bollard and tight enough to throw you out of stride - the only negative point but nothing could be done I suppose and that is a very small point in an enjoyable race. Nice medal too..Date of review: December 17, 2006